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Self-Determination Theory
Self-determination theory examines the extent to which a person’s behavior is self-motivated or self-determined. When people satisfy their basic needs, then they tend to have higher levels of performance, health, and well-being compared to when they do not satisfy their basic needs.
A basic need is a perceived void or gap that can lead to health and well-being when satisfied or to pathology and ill-health when not satisfied or filled. A basic need can be physiological (Hull, 1943), such as for air, food, and water, or it can be psychological, such as for love, respect, and appreciation. Self-determination theory posits that people must continually satisfy three basic psychological needs—for autonomy, competence, and ...
